14 Nov 2006

Samoa Parliament to determine recognition of Opposition

7:19 am on 14 November 2006

The Samoa Democratic United party or SDUP will find out today whether it's an official Opposition party.

The SDUP currently has only seven caucus members following the resignation of the party's former leader, Le Mamea Ropati, and senior MP, Sililoto Tolo because of an internal rift within the party.

The needs eight MPs to be the recognised as an official Opposition party.

However, the party's deputy leader, Asiata Sale'imoa Va'ai, says he is confident the prime minister and the ruling party will support the lowering of Opposition MPs in a political party from eight to seven.

However, the speaker will have the final say whether the standing orders of the house can be amended.